The Practical Pagan is written for those who have just discovered
that they are drawn to the Path of the Wise. It also serves as
a wake up call for those who have been Pagan for a while that
sometimes neatness counts. Ms. Eilers reminds old timers about,
and instructs newcomers in the fine art of being a good human
being and what it means in real world terms to be a Pagan in the
21st Century.
Many people enter Paganism from more organized, mainstream religions
where right, wrong and ethical codes of behavior are spelled out
by books and by religious leaders. No such official source exists
for the new witch because Paganism is an unorganized religion.
Most newcomers are overwhelmed by this lack of guidance. Sometimes
this lack of written rules leads many to believe that anything
goes. Nothing can be further from the truth. This book helps to
set the record straight.
In a friendly and teasing tone, the author guides the newcomer
in exploring what exactly a Pagan is. The easily read chapters
explain what it means to be Pagan, how and whether to join a coven,
how to get involved in the Pagan community and how to go about
choosing a specific Path. This book examines the myths about Pagans
and Paganism, discusses the real world issues of coming out of
the broom closet and offers some very down to earth advice on
living as a Pagan in the mundane world.
There are chapters about your sex life and even one called “Help!
There is no Pagan K-Mart” which discusses how and where
to find all those wonderful ritual tools, clothing and accessories
many Pagans are so fond of collecting. The author even reminds
us that jeans and T-shirts are perfectly acceptable ritual-wear,
if that’s what makes you comfortable.
I found the author’s humorous quips to be enchanting, but
some might take offense at the repetition of the importance of
being honest, forthright citizens of the world. Since I personally
hold similar views about people (not just Pagans) being honorable
and trustworthy people in their dealings, I found myself nodding
my head in agreement. I can think of more than a handful of Pagans
I’d like to see read this book and get the message that
being Pagan is not a license to break laws or to justify being
self indulgent.
This book is a good read and an excellent addition to a beginner’s
Craft library.
There are a great many Wicca 101 books out on the market. This
one is by far the best I have ever read. Most books written with
a beginner in mind rarely address the deeper issues of being Wiccan
or Pagan. They hardly ever delve into the issues surrounding our
past or the reasons many of us become and stay witches in the
first place.
Ms. Green continues to write a high caliber book with this newest
addition to her repertoire. This book goes beyond the basics of
spell work found in nearly all beginner books on the market. In
fact, spell work takes its rightful place as a minor part of our
religion in this book. This book focuses on the reality of magic.
The author helps the beginner explore his or her connection to
the Divine with guided meditations and clear concise suggestions
on how to become aware of the existence of the Elementals and
Divine in our own everyday lives.
This book is chock full of information and suggestions meant
to lead a person new to a Pagan path to a better understanding
of this Path. It also teaches in a gentle and straightforward
manner such things as ethics and manners. Something that is sorely
lacking in most Wicca 101 books, and sadly from our daily lives
these days.
Even though I am no longer a beginner myself, I will keep this
book on my shelves. There are many interesting tidbits of thought
and information that reawakened my mind to new avenues to my own
connection with the Divine. I especially liked the chapters focusing
on the Elementals with their exercises in forming stronger connections
to each one.
I highly recommend this book to the newcomer and the more advanced
student looking to renew their understanding of the Divine and
a magical lifestyle.
What a delightful book. For the Witch with a crafty bent or for
the one who wants to try creating for the first time, this book
has something for everyone. The book boasts 12 different chapters.
Each chapter focuses on a different craft, with projects ranging
from the very easy to the more advanced.
Whether you are into sewing or gardening, you will find a project
to please your creative urges. I think the only thing I didn’t
like about this book was the fact that I couldn’t decide
which project I want to start on first. In fact, I am still deciding
between the Topsy-Turvy Goddess doll and the cross-stitch Green
Man sweatshirt.
The directions for each project are concise and easy to follow.
Patterns for those projects that require patterns are included
right in the instructions, something I appreciate. Many craft
books have the patterns in a separate section in the book requiring
you to hunt them down. At the end of each chapter is a list of
resources for any of the materials you might need for the crafts.
Among the resources are names and URLs to books and websites for
more information on that chapter’s focus.
The best part of the book is the 8 pages of full color photography
of finished projects. The pictures are cross-referenced to the
pages with the craft’s directions. I only hope that my finished
pieces are as photo worthy when I finally choose my first one!
Have you tried divination like runes or tarot only to give up
in frustration and confusion? In forms of divination like the
two mentions above there are dozens of symbols and meanings to
remember. It takes years to become proficient enough to read a
future without the book that accompanies most decks or sets.
Adam Byrn has researched his ancestors’ divination methods
to come up with his own simple, coherent runic divination set.
He calls them Tellstones. Mr. Bryn created a simple 10 stone set
based his Welsh heritage. There are 9 symbols plus a blank stone,
which represents the querient.
He modernized his symbols from his forebears’ use of animal
guts and bones. Not only messy and smelly, such castings are no
longer deemed politically correct.
The book contains a short introduction to the stones in general,
an explanation with a drawing of each stone, two sample throws
as well as a chapter instructing the reader in the construction
of their own tellstones.
I found the explanations easy to understand but the drawings illustrating
the runes themselves were difficult to follow. In one case it
was nearly impossible for me to tell the difference between two
of the symbols. I think photography would have been a more appropriate
solution than the stylized pointillism that was used in this case.
In the chapter containing the instruction on how to make the
tellstones, the written direction had a measurement that was different
in the corresponding diagram. Once again, the stylized drawings
were way too difficult to follow and detracted from the clarity
of the book. In the back of the book there was an order form where
those of us who are less ambitious can purchase a pre-made set
of stones for a mere $29.95.
If you are looking for an easy to use and learn form of divination
this book may have the system you are after.
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The
Practical Pagan: Commonsense Guidelines for Modern Practioners
Tellstones:
Runic Divination in the Welsh Tradition
